Naval build-up in the Gulf?

[armada1651]

It sounds pretty far-fetched to me, and do we even allow other countries aircraft to fly off our carriers? I was under the impressions the weights and such were done to such a small margin of error it would be difficult to have aircraft not specifically designed for our carriers flying off them.

 

[The Chief]

Oh, and more!:sleep_125 As we are speaking of the TR.:icon_tong

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=38577

 

[Rearden]

Ok, well, I stand corrected. Never knew we could do that.

 

[Flugelman]

This just in:

Massive naval buildup in the Hampton Roads, VA and San Diego, CA areas... They must be invading!

I saw an aircraft carrier in Corpus Christi Bay too, and LOTS of air activity...

 

[Mumbles]

^^the Fighting Lady shall sail again!!

 

[BigIron]

Ok, well, I stand corrected. Never knew we could do that.

We can. Actually, it's pretty cool.

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=61680

 

[Uncle Fester]

I'm more surprised/impressed that the Rafale launch bars are compatible with US cats. I would have figured they'd use a slightly different system just to be...well, French. Or would that be a NATO standard thing?

Also, with the French E-2s aboard, did they take any US E-2s, or did they leave them all on the beach? If they took a full squadron of le Hummers, there wouldn't be any more deck space for the American ones. I would have guessed 2 US, 2 French...

 

[Fly Navy]

I'm more surprised/impressed that the Rafale launch bars are compatible with US cats. I would have figured they'd use a slightly different system just to be...well, French. Or would that be a NATO standard thing?

Also, with the French E-2s aboard, did they take any US E-2s, or did they leave them all on the beach? If they took a full squadron of le Hummers, there wouldn't be any more deck space for the American ones. I would have guessed 2 US, 2 French...

Well, they used to fly our F-8s and they still fly our E-2s. I'm guessing they designed the Rafale to be compatible with US carriers.

 

[BigIron]

I'm more surprised/impressed that the Rafale launch bars are compatible with US cats. I would have figured they'd use a slightly different system just to be...well, French. Or would that be a NATO standard thing?

Longer launch bar, but compatible. They have their own holdback bars and special catapult shuttles. NAVAIR Lakehurst runs their ALRE (Aviation Launch and Recovery Equipment) program as well as our own. We send an American ALRE maintenance officer to the Charles De Gaulle to assist them with their program.

Also, with the French E-2s aboard, did they take any US E-2s, or did they leave them all on the beach? If they took a full squadron of le Hummers, there wouldn't be any more deck space for the American ones. I would have guessed 2 US, 2 French...

Their Hummers were treated the same as our Hummers. Same launch bulletins, holdbacks, etc. US and French E2s operated at the same time.

 

[Flash]

Or would that be a NATO standard thing?

Since the French are one of only two other countries left that use catapults on their aircraft carriers, and the third uses an old French carrier, I would call it a Franco-American standard. Or something like that .

 

[snake020]

Since the French are one of only two other countries left that use catapults on their aircraft carriers, and the third uses an old French carrier, I would call it a Franco-American standard. Or something like that .

Why did the British inventors abandon catapults on their carriers anyway?

 

[BigIron]

Why did the British inventors abandon catapults on their carriers anyway?

I don't know. Interesting article maybe touching on the subject.

 

[Flash]

Why did the British inventors abandon catapults on their carriers anyway?

In a word, money.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I saw an aircraft carrier in Corpus Christi Bay too, and LOTS of air activity...

And all the a/c have their war paint on too